5 months ago
EXCLUSIVE: Oscar-shortlisted live-action short film A Friend of Dorothy has dropped connected Disney+. The British-produced short, directed by Lee Knight, is now disposable connected Disney+ successful nan UK and crossed Europe. It is an intergenerational communicative astir an improbable relationship betwixt nan titular Dorothy, an aged female surviving alone, and JJ, her teenage neighbor.
BAFTA-winner Miriam Margolyes stars arsenic Dorothy and Alistair Nwachukwu (Shadow and Bone) plays JJ. Their relationship starts erstwhile his shot lands successful her garden. The communicative was inspired by a real-life relationship betwixt actor-turned-director Knight, his husband, and their precocious neighbor. The formed besides includes Stephen Fry and Oscar Lloyd.
JJ helps Dorothy pinch difficult family tasks and provides companionship to his octogenarian neighbor, whose hubby has passed distant and boy lives abroad. Her mercenary grandson is nan only family interaction she has, and JJ becomes a patient friend. Meanwhile, she encourages him to travel his dreams to beryllium a shape character done reciting and reference plays.
Knight won nan Best Director and nan movie triumph nan Best Drama accolade astatine nan HollyShorts London event. Billed arsenic “a communicative astir loneliness, relationship and unexpected friendship,” nan movie premiered astatine Raindance and has since been connected a coagulated show run. Its merchandise connected Disney+ allows nan movie to break retired beyond nan show circuit and scope a mainstream audience.
“I want to widen my heartfelt acknowledgment to nan Academy for shortlisting A Friend of Dorothy successful nan Best Short Film category,” said Knight. “This movie speaks to nan powerfulness of quality relationship and nan value of emotion seen, sloppy of nan differences we whitethorn comprehend betwixt 1 another. It is profoundly encouraging to spot stories of companionship, acceptance and authentic surviving recognized connected nan world stage.”
The helmer gave Deadline a elaborate return connected nan movie back successful December. His Filthy Gorgeous Productions banner made nan movie successful relation pinch A Marlow’s Production, Double Dice Films and Namesake Films. James Dean (The Stolen Girl), Scottie Fotré and Max Marlow produced. The roster of exec producers included Stephen Daldry and Sonia Friedman.
